Digital broadcasting transmission system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a digital broadcasting transmission system which includes: a plurality of single program encoders for encoding and multiplexing respective single programs constituted with video/audio/data signals; a PSIP generator for generating PSIP that provides detailed information on video/audio/data broadcasting programs to be multiplexed in the single program encoders; a multiple program multiplexer for multiplexing digital broadcasting stream transmitted from the signal program encoders and the PSIP transmitted from the PSIP generator; and a transmission unit for transmitting digital broadcasting signals multiplexed in the multiple program multiplexer. The PSIP includes at least one selected from the group consisting of the number of the data broadcasting programs contained in one video/audio broadcasting program, titles of the respective data broadcasting programs, each start time/end time of the respective data broadcasting programs, stably receivable time of the respective data broadcasting programs, grades of the respective data broadcasting programs, conditional access information of the respective data broadcasting programs, and content summary of the data broadcasting programs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a digital broadcasting system,and more particularly, to a digital broadcasting transmission systemcapable of providing detailed information on data broadcasting programsto a user via an electronic program guide (EPG).

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Generally, digital television is a general term of televisionswhich transmit broadcasting in a digital mode. The United Statesdetermines to employ digital mode to the next-generation televisioncalled advanced television (ATV). In many countries, digital televisionshave been actively developed in next-generation television modesinterfaced with broadband integrated services digital networks (B-ISDNs)or computer networks. In Europe, many projects, such as HD DIVINE in theKingdom of Sweden, SPECTRE in the United Kingdom, DIAMOND in the FrenchRepublic, etc., have been progressed.

[0005]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional digitalbroadcasting transmission system.

[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional digital broadcastingtransmission system 100 includes: a plurality of single program encodingunits 110 for encoding and multiplexing respective single programsconstituted with video/audio/data signals; a PSIP (program and systeminformation protocol) generating unit 120 for generating a PSIP whichprovides detailed information on the video/audio broadcasting programsto be multiplexed in the single program encoding units 110; a multipleprogram multiplexing unit 130 for multiplexing signals transmitted fromthe plurality of single program encoding units 110 and the PSIPgenerating unit 120; and a transmission unit 140 for transmittingsignals multiplexed in the multiple program multiplexing unit 130.

[0007] Here, the single program encoding unit 110 includes a videosignal encoder 111 (e.g., MPEG-2 encoder) for encoding video signals, anaudio signal encoder 112 (e.g., AC-3 encoder) for encoding audiosignals, and a single program multiplexer 113 for multiplexing theencoded video signals, the encoded audio signals, and the data signalsof the audio/video broadcasting.

[0008] At this time, the information on the video/audio broadcasting canbe displayed on a screen of the digital television in an electronicprogram guide (EPG) mode using the PSIP generated from the PSIPgenerating unit 120. Digital broadcasting program information edited bythe EPG and displayed can provide the detailed information on thevideo/audio broadcasting programs to the user. However, in case of thedata broadcasting program, only information on whether to be the databroadcasting is provided. At this time, the detailed information on thevideo/audio broadcast programs includes a broadcast channel number, acurrent time, a name of broadcasting station, a broadcasting starttime/end time, a title of program, a grade of program, a stereo/monoclassification, whether to provide a caption service, whether to providea sound multiplexing service, a conditional access information, aprogram progression status, an additional text message, etc.

[0009] However, one or more data broadcasting programs can exist in onegeneral video/audio broadcasting program, and respective databroadcastings are executed without regular rules within the generalvideo/audio broadcasting program.

[0010] Accordingly, in an environment of the digital broadcasting viathe conventional digital broadcasting transmission system, before thebroadcasting programs including the data broadcasting program start,digital television viewers do not know detailed information on the databroadcasting, for example, how many data broadcasting programs arecontained in the broadcasting program, when the respective databroadcasting programs start in an entire broadcasting program time, andhow long the respective data broadcasting programs will be broadcast.

[0011] In addition, as the data broadcasting programs are playing animportant role in transmission of game/education/information of allsorts, there are increasing demands to make good use of the contents ofthe data broadcasting programs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a digitalbroadcasting transmission system that substantially obviates one or moreproblems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a digitalbroadcasting transmission system capable of providing detailedinformation on the data broadcasting programs as well as video/audiobroadcasting programs to users via an electronic program guide (EPG).

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a digitalbroadcasting transmission protocol capable of providing PSIP (programand system information protocol) including detailed information onvideo/audio/data broadcasting programs.

[0015] Further another object of the present invention is to provide adigital television capable of providing detailed information onvideo/audio/data broadcasting programs to users via an EPG, andproviding various convenient functions to users via an EPG displayed ona screen.

[0016] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the inventionwill be set forth in part in the description which follows and in partwill become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0017] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordancewith the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly describedherein, there is provided a digital broadcasting transmission system,which comprises: a plurality of single program encoding means forencoding and multiplexing respective single programs includingvideo/audio/data signals; a PSIP generating means for generating PSIP(program and system information protocol), the PSIP providing detailedinformation on video/audio/data broadcasting programs to be multiplexedin the single program encoding means; a multiple program multiplexingmeans for multiplexing digital broadcasting stream transmitted from theplurality of signal program encoding means and the PSIP transmitted fromthe PSIP generating means; and a transmission means for transmittingdigital broadcasting signals multiplexed in the multiple programmultiplexing means.

[0018] Here, the PSIP of the data broadcasting programs, which isgenerated from the PSIP generating means, includes at least one selectedfrom the group consisting of the number of the data broadcastingprograms contained in one video/audio broadcasting program, titles ofthe respective data broadcasting programs, each start time/end time ofthe respective data broadcasting programs, stably receivable time of therespective data broadcasting programs, grades of the respective databroadcasting programs, conditional access information of the respectivedata broadcasting programs, and content summary of the data broadcastingprograms.

[0019] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided adigital broadcasting transmission protocol in a transmission of digitalbroadcasting signals constituted with video/audio/data signals, whichcomprises PSIP (program and system information protocol) for providingdetailed information on video/audio broadcasting programs and detailedinformation on data broadcasting programs.

[0020] Here, the PSIP for providing the detailed information on the databroadcasting programs includes at least one selected from the groupconsisting of the number of the data broadcasting programs contained inone video/audio broadcasting program, titles of respective databroadcasting programs, each start time/end time of the respective databroadcasting programs, stably receivable time of the respective databroadcasting programs, grades of the respective data broadcastingprograms, conditional access information of the respective databroadcasting programs, and content summary of the data broadcastingprograms.

[0021] In further another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a digital television, which analyzes the PSIP transmitted fromthe digital broadcasting transmission system or the digital broadcastingtransmission protocol and displays an electronic program guide (EPG) ofthe data broadcasting programs on the screen.

[0022] Here, the digital television provides at least one selected fromthe group consisting of a reserved watching of the data broadcastingprograms, a reserved recording thereof, and a selectively reservedrecording thereof to a user using the information on the databroadcasting programs provided via the EPG.

[0023] According to the present invention, before the broadcastingstarts, a user can obtain the detailed information on thevideo/audio/data broadcasting programs by providing the detailedinformation to a user via the EPG. Additionally, it is possible toconveniently select the reserved watching, the reserved recording, andthe selectively reserved recording via the EPG.

[0024] It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description of the presentinvention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to providefurther explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide afurther understanding of the invention and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of theinvention and together with the description serve to explain theprinciple of the invention. In the drawings:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a structure of aconventional digital broadcasting transmission system;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a structure of adigital broadcasting transmission system in accordance with the presentinvention; and

[0028] FIGS. 3 to 5 are exemplary screens on which EPGs of a databroadcasting are displayed in a digital television according to thedigital broadcasting transmission system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodimentsof the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

[0030]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a structure of adigital broadcasting transmission system in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, the digital broadcasting transmission system200 of the present invention includes: a plurality of single programencoding units 210 for encoding and multiplexing respective singleprograms consisting of video/audio/data signals; a PSIP generating unit220 for generating a PSIP which provides detailed information on thevideo/audio/data broadcasting programs to be multiplexed in the singleprogram encoding units 210; a multiple program multiplexing unit 230 formultiplexing digital broadcasting transmission streams transmitted fromthe single program encoding units 210 and the PSIP transmitted from thePSIP generating unit 220; and a transmission unit 440 for transmittingdigital broadcasting signals multiplexed in the multiple programmultiplexing unit 230.

[0032] Here, the single program encoding unit 210 includes a videosignal encoder 211 (e.g., MPEG-2 encoder) for encoding video signals, anaudio signal encoder 212 (e.g., AC-3 encoder) for encoding audiosignals, and a single program multiplexer 213 for multiplexing theencoded video signals, the encoded audio signals, and the data signalsof the audio/video broadcastings.

[0033] The PSIP generating unit 220 includes a video/audio broadcastingPSIP processing unit 221 for processing the PSIP of the video/audiobroadcasting programs, and a data broadcasting PSIP processing unit 222for processing the PSIP of the data broadcasting programs.

[0034] Hereinafter, there will be described the PSIP includinginformation on the video/audio/data broadcasting programs, which aretransmitted in the digital broadcasting transmission system constructedas above.

[0035] A digital broadcasting transmission protocol of the presentinvention includes following information.

[0036] 1. PSIP of video/audio broadcasting programs, which includes:

[0037] Broadcast channel numbers

[0038] Current time

[0039] Names of broadcasting stations

[0040] Broadcasting start time/end time

[0041] Titles of programs

[0042] Grades of programs

[0043] Stereo/mono classification

[0044] Whether to provide a caption service

[0045] Whether to provide a sound multiplexing service

[0046] Conditional access information (whether to be a chargedinformation, etc.)

[0047] Information on program progression status

[0048] Additional text message

[0049] 2. PSIP of the data broadcasting programs, which includes:

[0050] The number of data broadcasting programs contained in onebroadcasting program

[0051] Start time/end time of respective data broadcasting programs

[0052] Stably receivable time of respective data broadcasting programs

[0053] Grades of respective data broadcasting programs

[0054] Conditional access information (whether to be a chargedinformation, etc.) of respective data broadcasting programs

[0055] Content summary of additional data broadcasting programs

[0056] Meanwhile, according to the digital broadcasting protocolproviding the above information on the video/audio/data broadcastingprograms, the digital television analyzes received digital broadcastingtransmission protocol and allows the EPGs of the video/audio/databroadcasting programs to be displayed on the screen.

[0057] FIGS. 3 to 5 are exemplary screens on which the EPGs of the databroadcasting are displayed in the digital television, according to thedigital broadcasting transmission system of the present invention.

[0058] In FIG. 3, there are shown information on the generalbroadcasting programs including names of broadcasting stations,broadcasting start time/end time and titles of programs, titles of databroadcasting programs, and conditional access information. At this time,for example, if detailed broadcasting information on LG CUP World BadukChampionship is wanted, it can be obtained by selecting correspondingportion (displayed in a yellow color) of the EPG, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 4, viewers can obtain the detailed broadcastingprogram information on the LG CUP World Baduk championship via the EPGdisplayed on the screen.

[0060] First, general information on the broadcasting programs can beobtained, which includes broadcast channel numbers, names of broadcaststations, broadcasting start time/end time, titles of programs, gradesof programs, stereo/mono information, information on whether to providea caption service, sound multiplexing service, etc.

[0061] Second, it can be seen that a total of three data broadcastingprograms is contained in the broadcasting programs of LG CUP World BadukChampionship. In other words, profiles of LEE Chang-ho and Cho Hoon-hyunare broadcast at 9:10 a.m.-9:30 a.m., a record up to the final of the2002 competition at 9:40 a.m.-10:00 a.m., and an interpretation ofexcellent skills at 10:10 a.m.-10:50 a.m.

[0062] Third, the detailed broadcasting program information is displayedon the screen so that the viewers can determine a reserved watching anda reserved recording using the information.

[0063] Meanwhile, FIG. 5 shows another example in which the detailedbroadcasting program information is displayed in a simple manner.

[0064] According to the digital broadcasting transmission system of thepresent invention, the viewers can obtain the detailed information onthe data broadcasting programs as well as the general video/audiobroadcasting programs via the EPG displayed on the digital television.

[0065] Accordingly, before the broadcasting starts, the viewers can knowthoroughly the detailed information on the data broadcasting programswhich they want to watch, and they can also use additional functionswhich help to make good use of the data broadcasting programs. In otherwords, the viewers can use various functions (reserved watching,reserved recording, selectively reserved recording, etc.) via the EPG.

[0066] Here, the selectively reserved recording denotes an individualrecording of the general video/audio broadcasting programs, anindividual recording of the data broadcasting programs, a simultaneousrecording of the general video/audio broadcasting programs and the databroadcasting programs, and a recording of desired data broadcastingprograms alone.

[0067] As describe above, according to the digital broadcastingtransmission system of the present invention, there is an advantage thatinformation on the data broadcasting programs as well as the video/audiobroadcasting programs can be provided to the user via the EPG.

[0068] Further, according to the digital broadcasting transmissionprotocol of the present invention, there is an advantage that the PSIPincluding the detailed information on the video/audio/data broadcastingprograms can be provided.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the digital television of the presentinvention, there is an advantage that the detailed information on thevideo/audio/data broadcasting programs can be provided to the user viathe EPG, and various convenient functions can be provided to the uservia the EPG displayed on the screen.

[0070] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus,it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital broadcasting transmission systemcomprising: a plurality of single program encoding means for encodingand multiplexing respective single programs including video/audio/datasignals; a PSIP generating means for generating PSIP (program and systeminformation protocol), the PSIP providing detailed information onvideo/audio/data broadcasting programs to be multiplexed in the singleprogram encoding means; a multiple program multiplexing means formultiplexing digital broadcasting stream transmitted from the pluralityof signal program encoding means and the PSIP transmitted from the PSIPgenerating means; and a transmission means for transmitting digitalbroadcasting signals multiplexed in the multiple program multiplexingmeans.
 2. The digital broadcasting transmission system according toclaim 1, wherein the PSIP of the data broadcasting programs, which isgenerated from the PSIP generating means, includes at least one selectedfrom the group consisting of the number of the data broadcastingprograms contained in one video/audio broadcasting program, titles ofthe respective data broadcasting programs, each start time/end time ofthe respective data broadcasting programs, stably receivable time of therespective data broadcasting programs, grades of the respective databroadcasting programs, conditional access information of the respectivedata broadcasting programs, and content summary of the data broadcastingprograms.
 3. The digital broadcasting transmission system according toclaim 1, wherein the PSIP of the video/audio broadcasting programs,which is generated from the PSIP generating means, includes at least oneselected from the group consisting of broadcast channel numbers, acurrent time, names of broadcast stations, a broadcasting start time/endtime, titles of programs, grades of programs, a stereo/monoclassification, whether to provide a caption service, whether to providea sound multiplexing service, a conditional access information (whetherto be a charged information), information on program progression status,and additional text message.
 4. A digital broadcasting transmissionprotocol in a transmission of digital broadcasting signals constitutedwith video/audio/data signals, the digital broadcasting transmissionprotocol comprising: PSIP (program and system information protocol) forproviding detailed information on video/audio broadcasting programs anddetailed information on data broadcasting programs.
 5. The digitalbroadcasting transmission protocol according to claim 4, wherein thePSIP for providing the detailed information on the data broadcastingprograms includes at least one selected from the group consisting of thenumber of the data broadcasting programs contained in one video/audiobroadcasting program, titles of respective data broadcasting programs,each start time/end time of the respective data broadcasting programs,stably receivable time of the respective data broadcasting programs,grades of the respective data broadcasting programs, conditional accessinformation of the respective data broadcasting programs, and contentsummary of the data broadcasting programs.
 6. The digital broadcastingtransmission protocol according to claim 4, wherein the PSIP forproviding the video/audio broadcasting programs includes at least oneselected from the group consisting of a broadcast channel numbers, acurrent time, names of broadcast stations, a broadcasting start time/endtime, titles of programs, grades of programs, a stereo/monoclassification, whether to provide a caption service, whether to providea sound multiplexing service, a conditional access information (whetherto be a charged information), information on program progression status,and additional text message.
 7. A digital television, wherein thedigital television analyzes the PSIP transmitted from the digitalbroadcasting transmission system of claim 1 and displays an electronicprogram guide (EPG) of the data broadcasting programs on the screen. 8.The digital television according to claim 7, wherein the digitaltelevision provides at least one of a reserved watching of the databroadcasting programs, a reserved recording thereof, and a selectivelyreserved recording thereof to a user using the information on the databroadcasting programs provided via the EPG.
 9. The digital televisionaccording to claim 7, wherein the PSIP of the data broadcastingprograms, which is generated from the PSIP generating means, includes atleast one selected from the group consisting of the number of the databroadcasting programs contained in one video/audio broadcasting program,titles of respective data broadcasting programs, each start time/endtime of the respective data broadcasting programs, stably receivabletime of the respective data broadcasting programs, grades of therespective data broadcasting programs, conditional access information ofthe respective data broadcasting programs, and content summary of thedata broadcasting programs.
 10. The digital television according toclaim 7, wherein the PSIP of the video/audio broadcasting programs,which is generated from the PSIP generating means, includes at least oneselected from the group consisting of broadcast channel numbers, acurrent time, names of broadcast stations, a broadcasting start time/endtime, titles of programs, grades of programs, a stereo/monoclassification, whether to provide a caption service, whether to providea sound multiplexing service, a conditional access information (whetherto be a charged information), information on program progression status,and additional text message.
 11. A digital television, wherein thedigital television analyzes the PSIP transmitted by the digitalbroadcasting transmission protocol of claim 4 and displays an electronicprogram guide (EPG) of the data broadcasting programs on the screen. 12.The digital television according to claim 11, wherein the digitaltelevision provides at least one selected from the group consisting of areserved watching of the data broadcasting programs, a reservedrecording thereof, and a selectively reserved recording thereof to auser using the information on the data broadcasting programs providedvia the EPG.
 13. The digital television according to claim 11, whereinthe PSIP for providing the detailed information on the data broadcastingprograms includes at least one selected from the group consisting of thenumber of the data broadcasting programs contained in one video/audiobroadcasting program, titles of respective data broadcasting programs,each start time/end time of the respective data broadcasting programs,stably receivable time of the respective data broadcasting programs,grades of the respective data broadcasting programs, conditional accessinformation of the respective data broadcasting programs, and contentsummary of the data broadcasting programs.
 14. The digital televisionaccording to claim 11, wherein the PSIP for providing the video/audiobroadcasting programs includes at least one selected from the groupconsisting of broadcast channel numbers, a current time, names ofbroadcast stations, a broadcasting start time/end time, titles ofprograms, grades of programs, a stereo/mono classification, whether toprovide a caption service, whether to provide a sound multiplexingservice, a conditional access information (whether to be a chargedinformation), information on program progression status, and additionaltext message.